Gorillapod Go-Go! Digital Camera Tripod

Joby Inc, the maker of the popular Gorillapod tripods, has announced its latest product - the Gorillapod Go-Go!. Innovative and versatile, the Gorillapod Go-Go! handles virtually every type of handheld devices from compact digital cameras to PDA's and cell phones.

The Gorillapod Go-Go! from Joby Inc can handle devices weighing up to 275 g or about 10 ounces. The Gorillapod Go-Go! digital camera tripod comes with the universal adapter screw for attaching digital cameras and a suction cup clip to attach all other devices. Designed to be more mobile than the original Gorillapod digital camera tripod, the Gorillapod Go-Go! is a must for tech enthusiasts and digital photographers on the go.

Joby Gorillapod Go-Go! Camera Tripod

June 2008 - Joby Inc, the innovative consumer product company based in San Francisco, California is proud to announce the newest addition to its award-winning product line of Gorillapod tripods: the Gorillapod Go-Go!.

The Gorillapod Go-Go! is a one-of-a-kind mobile entertainment kit that allows users to position or attach their handheld devices anywhere. From cell phones, to MP3/MP4 players, to PDAs, to digital cameras, the Gorillapod Go-Go! can handle almost any device in virtually every situation.

Weighing just 45.2g and measuring only 15 x 3 x 3cm without packaging, this flexible little wonder is comprised of ball-and-socket joints and covered with rubberized rings to provide extreme gripping capability. That dexterity allows users to position the Gorillapod Go-Go!™ anywhere - a chair, lamppost, stair rail or tree limb.

In addition to the standard adapter screw for attaching a digital camera, the Gorillapod Go-Go™ also includes a high-quality suction cup that holds firmly onto a variety of surfaces and two clips with double-stick adhesive.

With the Gorillapod Go-Go™, users can enjoy their favourite movies on-the-go, prevent their cell phone from slipping between car seats as they drive, or perch their digital camera anywhere for the perfect shot – the possibilities are endless.

By combining versatility and universal compatibility the Gorillapod Go-Go™ is the perfect mobile accessory for the modern tech enthusiast.

Joby Inc. believes companies should minimize their environmental footprint. All Gorillapod™ products are offered in eco-friendly packaging.

Hama releases Carbon Camera Tripods

Hama has released its latest line of carbon tripods aimed at semi-professional digital photographers. The lightweight and high stability of carbon-fiber reinforced plastics make it ideal for digital camera tripods.

Weighing under 3 kg, or 6.6 lbs., the Omega Carbon III digital camera tripod is the ideal traveling companion for digital photographers who shoot high-angle shots. The Omega Carbon III tripod's height is adjustable from 28 in to almost 80 in.

The smaller Hama Omega Carbon II camera tripod has an adjustable height of between 27 in and 69 in. It weighs about 2.5 kg, or 5.5 lbs. Both camera tripods also come with Hama's impressive precision 3D ball head.


Hama presents its new Omega Carbon tripod series for semi-pros.

Carbon for connoisseurs

Carbon, used colloquially to describe carbon-fiber-reinforced plastics, is used in products that require high stability at a relatively light weight, such as in automobile construction or sporting goods. The two new Omega Carbon II and III tripods from Hama take advantage of these characteristics, and are stable and lightweight at the same time.

Lightweight giant: Omega Carbon III

Omega Carbon III’s height adjusts from 71 to an imposing 202 centimeters, making the tripod ideal for taking impressive high-angle photos. Including the versatile 3D precision ballhead, the tripod weighs just under three kilograms; it is the perfect traveling companion. The completely removable central column helps with this, too. It can become a fully adjustable monopod, with a height of 54 to 158 centimeters; or, inserted upside-down into the tripod, it can be used for macro photography.

Little brother: Omega Carbon II

The little brother, the Omega Carbon II, with an extension length of 68 to 174 centimeters, weighs just 2.5 kilograms, including the tripod head. A crafty detail: the hook on the bottom of the extendable central column also functions as a holder for items such as the camera case, which means that they can be used to provide greater weight for improved stability.

Comprehensive Features

What the two carbon tripods have in common are the comprehensive features. The stable 3D precision ball head is impressive. It features a separate ball and pan head lock, adjustable tension settings as well as a quick-release plate with a safety catch and locking screw. The four-piece tripod legs can be extended in three places and spread out in various patterns. The large, quick-action leg clamps help you fix the legs in the required position in a snap. Rubber feet with a ball joint and extensible steel spikes provide for completely secure positioning, even in rough terrain. The foam sheathing around the legs means that you will always have a comfortable and secure hold, even in the cold and during transport. The tripod case included with both models makes it easy to carry the tripod when you are on the go.

How to Shoot Absolutely Stunning Sunsets

Sunsets are truly amazing expressions of beauty and colors that can be captured in a digital photograph with the right equipment and techniques.

by David Glassanos

Whether it’s the warm tones that attract people, or the fact that every sunset is unique, people love looking at sunsets. Here’s a checklist for those of you who are interested in capturing these great natural wonders with a digital camera.

Know when the sun is going to set. This is the number one thing to remember when shooting sunsets. I guarantee you will not get a good picture if you show up once the sun is below the horizon. Keep in mind any landscapes that will affect the time of the sunset. If the sun is going to be setting behind a mountain range then anticipate the sun to drop below the horizon a few minutes before the sun actually sets.

Set the exposure and compose the picture in your digital camera well before the sun actually sets. Give yourself at least half an hour before the time the sun will set to get your digital camera and tripod ready. Play around with the composition and try different angles while the sun is still in the sky. Look for objects, buildings, or landmarks that will create interesting silhouettes with the sun behind them. Exposure is a little harder. You will not know the exact exposure until the sun has actually set but you can have an idea of the exposure values that will look best. Play around with the exposure on your digital camera until you get something you like.

Take as many shots as you can. A sunset is a dynamic scene and is always changing. I recommend taking a couple pictures every minute on your digital camera. Each picture will be different from the one before.

Use a tripod. Sure, you can still digital photograph a sunset while holding your digital camera but using a tripod will allow you to take longer exposures while eliminating camera shake. A sunset is considered a landscape so stop down your aperture as much as you can. Try something like f/22 or higher. This will increase the depth of field, putting the whole scene in focus. The smaller aperture will increase the shutter length, giving you richer and warmer colors.

Try to include clouds in your composition. Someone once told me that amazing sunset photos almost always include clouds. Take a look for yourself. Almost every beautiful digital photo of a sunset you see will have clouds in the frame. This is because clouds are dramatic. They invoke emotion. If you want great sunsets, look for clouds.

Make sure the sky is the most dominant part of the digital photo. Sounds obvious, but what good is a photo of a sunset where two-thirds of the photo is the ground and only one-third is the sky. The sky is the main subject of the picture so emphasize it.

Work fast. The sunset will be over before you know it. Your timeframe will be about 10 minutes or less so it is good to know how your digital camera works before you get to the scene. The more sunsets you photograph the quicker you will become so if you have free time during the evening go take some pictures!

Wear sunglasses! Always remember not to look directly into the sun. You can cause severe eye damage by looking directly into the sun whether it’s with your naked eye or through the viewfinder. You have an LCD for a reason…use it.

Well there you have it, some tips for taking great sunset photographs. Just remember, the more you go out and practice the better your shots will become.


About the Author: David Glassanos runs the photography magazine at PhotographedBy.us

Using Long Lenses in Digital Photography

Great digital photographs can result from using a telephoto lens to get in close to the action or sneak up on a subject from a discreet distance. But the high magnification of long tele and zoom lenses serves to accentuate the effects of camera shake caused by your inability to hold the camera and lens absolutely still. The effects of wind, moving or shaking floors, residual vibration from camera mirrors flipping up just prior to exposure, atmospheric haze, and heat waves can also add problems.

When hand-holding your digital camera and zoom lens, start with a fast film, ISO 400 or higher. This will allow you to use higher shutter speeds (1/1000 sec and above) and minimize the effects of shake in a variety of lighting conditions. Use the proper stance: arms closely tucked into the body, elbows partially supported by the chest or abdomen, lens and camera balanced by the left hand and arm.

Practice supporting and focusing the digital camera with your left hand. Aim the digital camera slightly above the subject, take a deep breath, let the view drop to the proper composition while exhaling, and gently press the shutter.

For support, find a fence post, parked car, or folded jacket. Lean on it or rest your digital camera on top of it while shooting. If you have such a support, a 1/30 second exposure isn't an impossibility, even with a 500mm lens. You'll be using slower shutter speeds more often than you'd like. The minimum shutter speed rule of thumb for hand-holding a long tele or zoom lens is this: Slowest safe shutter speed = 1 over the lens focal length.

For example, if you're photographing with a 500mm f/4 lens, the limiting shutter speed for a hand-held digital photo would be 1 /500 second at the correct aperture for a good exposure. This rule applies to a properly-braced photographer standing on solid ground.

Chest braces, rifle stocks, and similar devices aren't as practical as a lightweight monopod or tripod. A monopod is easy to carry, and you can set it up just about anywhere.

It won't allow you to set shutter speeds as slow as you can get away with using a tripod. But it will let you shoot safely—that is, without a serous risk of image-softening shake—at speeds two or three steps slower than you'd have to use if you were shooting handheld. That may make it possible to shoot in lower light, and/or to use a slower, finer-grained film.

Get a monopod that can be raised to your eye level, is quick and easy to set up. If you shoot a lot of verticals, you may want to add a good swivel ball head for maneuverability.

A tripod is the best device for insuring minimal effects from vibration with a long tele or zoom lens. With a sturdy one, you can use slower shutter speeds and lower ISO-higher resolution films. If you own a shaky tripod, tie a three to five pound weight to the center column for added stability.

Physically long tele-lenses should have tripod-mounting collars to attach the lens at the proper fulcrum to the tripod rather than the digital camera. You can also use a secondary support for the digital camera like Bogen's Long Lens Support. This telescoping brace attaches to most tripod legs via a universal clamp at one end and a swivel ball head for the digital camera at the other. The brace makes it more difficult to change camera position, but it considerably lessens the effects of vibration.

If you're on shaky ground, tripods won't help. They'll actually transmit the motion right to the lens and camera. It's better to handhold the camera if you can set a reasonable shutter speed, and let your body damp the vibration.

Atmospheric haze and heat waves can't always be eliminated, but using a haze or polarizing filter can help cut through the haze and increase color saturation and contrast. Also, use your lens hood, or shade the lens, to minimize the possibility of flare.

Few techniques in photography require more expertise and skill than the successful use of a long tele or zoom lens. If you want to become more proficient, practice, practice, practice!


About the Author: Jan Linden is a professional photographer and designer.

When is a Tripod Really Necessary for Digital Cameras?

The average digital photographer owns a point and shoot digital camera. These cameras are capable of capturing great images and many even allow users to select an appropriate scene mode to make automatic exposure and shutter speed adjustments without the hassle of true manual controls. In some shooting situations however, adjusting the digital camera settings, automatic or otherwise, may not be all that is needed for a great shot.

In many instances a steady camera is necessary, especially when shutter speed is adjusted or minor movements can be accentuated. Simply put, a camera tripod becomes more of a necessity in special situations which the average user may encounter.

Night-time Shots
When shooting at dusk or at night, available natural lighting is obviously reduced. A flash is extremely limited in its range and is generally not a good tool to use in such situations. To get more light into the lens, the digital camera will adjust exposure and perhaps shutter speed when set to the Night setting. With a slower shutter speed comes the risk of introducing more digital camera shake which results in unwanted blurring. Using a tripod during shots taken with a digital camera set on the 'Night' setting reduces the inadvertent camera movement and improves picture quality.

Close up Shots
For those who wish to photograph objects, insects, or other items within just a few feet, the risk of blurring is also increased. Minor movements that might otherwise be imperceptible become much more evident in the resulting image. Again, using a tripod can help to reduce unwanted movement of the digital camera although care must also be taken to assure the subject and items in the background remain stationary as much as possible.

Self Portraits
Many point and shoot digital cameras allow the user to set the timer in order to allow them to include themselves in shots. This is a great feature but certainly getting a level and steady surface for the digital camera to rest on is critical for good quality image. Again, use of a tripod is the best bet. Aside from stability and a level surface, a tripod offers adjustable legs and a head that allows further movement to assure that framing is perfect for the shot.

Action Shots
Not all action shots require a tripod but if the user wishes to pan with the movement it certainly makes the task much easier. Panning without a tripod is certainly possible but requires some practice. Camcorders, even more than digital cameras, benefit from the use of a tripod in such instances.

Enlargements
Many digital photos may look good initially but when enlarged any imperfections can be accentuated. This is certainly true with any blurring. What is either imperceptible or minor in a 4x6 print may be a significant defect in an 8x10 enlargement.

Home photographers may have a great digital camera but a tripod is often a tool that turns mediocre pictures into the clear, outstanding images that draws the acclaim of friends and family.

by Christine Peppler

Digital Camera Accessories - Cover The Bases

By: Idan Lavi

There is no denying the fact that digital cameras haven taken the world by storm in the last decade. As technology continues to develop and pictures taken on them prove incredible, the amount of digital camera accessories to make your photos even better is really on the rise. Where only a few extras used to be available, digital camera enthusiasts are finding a whole host of choices these day. Some of these accessories are essentials, while others just make digital photography more convenient.

Must Haves

Extra Memory

With digital cameras offering such ease in shooting, those who want to take high-quality pictures find themselves tearing through memory cards rather quickly. These digital camera accessories are generally pretty affordable and are more than easy to carry. Typically the size of postage stamp or just slightly larger, extra memory cards can be used by anyone from the professional shooter to the amateur on vacation.

Spare Batteries

It might be hard to consider these as an accessory, but the fact is many who own these cameras do. While most digital camera batteries can last a long time, when they run out in the middle of a vacation or a particularly fun shoot, it can be really irritating. Having a spare set can really come in handy. It`s best to consider rechargeable spares to save on replacement costs down the road.

Weatherproof Camera Bag

When it comes to digital camera accessories, this one is a must have for anyone that intends to take their camera outside, ever. Providing protection from bad weather and drops alike, these accessories aren`t very expensive either and they can help store those extra batteries and memory cards, too.

Love To Haves

Lighting mechanisms

This particular class of digital camera accessory might almost fit into the must have list. While most digital cameras take very good pictures, there onboard flashes tend to leave a lot to be desired. There are all kind of lighting mechanisms that are available that can remedy this. Some are designed to work with specific cameras and others are standalones that can assist in any photography setting. These are great for anyone who wants to take spectacular shots to consider.

Tripods

When it comes to digital camera accessories, this is one any serious shooter might want to consider. These help take away the shake that`s involved in some settings and can really help create spectacular images.

Extra Lenses

Not all cameras will accept these digital camera accessories, but those that do can really benefit from zoom lenses. Providing a way to really turn a digital into an all-purpose camera, lenses should be considered by those who can use them.

When it comes to digital camera accessories, the options are becoming amazing. The above is just a small list of those available. While not everyone will need many digital camera accessories to take the pictures they want, it`s nice to know options are out there